Till Death Takes A Bite

Our Lady

MALIAH

Pain seared through my body, jolting me awake as every muscle, every joint, every inch of my skin hurt. As I struggled to sit up, I realized with a pang of hurt that two days had passed and Bryon had not come to check on me. Not once. The pain in my body was nothing compared to the ache in my heart.

A thin, tattered mattress laid on the cold stone floor, with a quite enormous amount of bed bugs. Needless to say, roaches and rats had made my night uncomfortable. I wasn’t sure if I was their guests or they were mine.

A surge of hope rose in me as a guard walked up to me and opened the dungeon door. Was this the moment I hoped for? Freedom, maybe? My hope was however dashed when he moved aside and Ivy was right behind him with a tray of food in her arms.

Surprisingly, the portion was more than usual, at least, way better and more honorable than what I had been served since I got here. I wasn’t served anything last night and I was starving hence I quickly carried the tray. She avoided staring at me and I didn’t want to see her face either.

“The pack is celebrating….” She blurted out the words in a rush, her voice barely above a whisper, just as I was about to take the first bite. “The Alpha is getting married today.”

I felt like I had been slapped, the tray dropped from my hands, the food scattering across the floor as my heart skipped a beat, leaving me breathless. She didn’t utter any more word and stepped out of the dungeon before the guard locked the door.

Was this some sort of sick joke? No, this could not be possible. He could definitely not be getting married. This was beginning to get really worrisome. I stood up, holding the bars. There was no one around. How could I reach out to Byron?

Suddenly, I heard the sounds of footsteps echoing outside the cell, growing louder with each second. I felt a rush of excitement and relief and before I knew it, I was in his hands holding him tightly. Yes, it was Byron and I had missed him so bad.

A sly grin spread across his face as he stared at me, his eyes sparking with mischievous glint. He didn’t utter a word but just kept looking at me with an intensity that made my skin prickle.

“Is this it? Is this how you are going to react? You didn’t even show up for two days!” I muttered, searching his face for any sign of remorse.

“I was busy. You know how things have been. Settling into this new position has been time consuming.” He defended, hands buried in his pocket. I nodded. He was right.

“So, what’s the plan?” I demanded but he just looked at me with a blank expression as if he had no idea of what I was saying.

“What plans?” He asked, his voice dripping with false ignorance. I felt a sudden surge of anger at his blatant dishonesty . I tried to convince myself that it was just in my head but this…. Didn’t look like it.

“What is the plan to get me out of here and prove my innocence? What is your plan to stop the sudden marriage that is happening? What is your plan to tell the Alpha that I am innocent and I am your mate? The only woman you love?” I probed.

I was beginning to get frustrated.

“What are you talking about?” He chuckled and held me on the shoulder. “You must be delusional. Perhaps, the rats and roaches has fed so much on you that you have suddenly lost your mind? Why would I reject my marriage to Shadeva? She is my woman.”

“This isn’t funny. If this is some sort of sick joke, then stop it because you are beginning to get me really worried. What is the plan?

It’s been two days and I can no longer stay here. You have to get me out of here.” I folded my hands across my shoulders.

He let out a sneer and then a loud laughter, one that sent shivers down my spine.

“How naive and gullible can you be? Even when the truth is glaring at you in the face, you still failed to recognize it, don’t you? You have been a supportive partner and you have proved your worth by helping me get rid of my brother. You know…..” He moved closer to me and my eyes widened.

“I have always known that throne belongs to me but my father refused to see it because Byron is the first child and his favorite son.” He chuckled. “I couldn’t allow that title be snatched from me hence I decided to use you. I mixed that poisonous substance in the meal you served him.” He confessed with a grin.

A gasp escaped my lips as I staggered backward. How … how could he …..

“I killed Zayn.” He repeated. “You were a pain in the ass. I mean… you were so in love with me even when the feeling wasn’t mutual. Oh, come on. I thought you loved this pack. Is it fair that the daughter of a mentally derailed person rules this pack as my Luna? You are just a maid.” He said, his voice void of emotions.

I felt my heart shattering into a million pieces and I stared at him, mouth agape as my mind struggled to process the enormity of his betrayal.

“Shadeva and I would be getting married in a couple of hours. Afterwards, a befitting punishment would be meted out to you for taking the life of a royal blood, a crime punishable by death.” He declared.

As he turned to leave, he threw a mocking glance over his shoulder.

“Thanks for taking the fall for me.” He said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “You are a real sweetheart.”

I felt a sting of tears as he reached the door, his hand on the handle as he prepared to leave me behind. I knew I could not be weak. I wiped the tears off my eyes and stood tall.

“You think you have gotten away with it.” I smirked. “You may have betrayed me but you won’t get away with it. I will expose you for the monster you are. I can only imagine how the Alpha will feel when he finds out you killed your own brother because of your greed for the throne.

You will be stripped of the title you so desire and you will be left with nothing. The people will mock you and you will be nothing but a footnote in history.” I spoke the words with a sense of satisfaction, watching as his face crumpled with rage.

His smile faltered and he spun around, his eyes blazing with anger. I tried to stand my ground as he approached me with anger and rage in his eyes.

“You know…. Because it is my wedding day, I thought it would be unfair to shed blood today…..” He started. He reached into his cloak and pulled out a knife. I tried to step back but he was too quick as he plunged the knife into my stomach. I felt my life forcefully being taken away from me like sand slipping through an hourglass.

My eyes widened in shock and I struggled to speak but I couldn’t even make out a sound.

“I reject you, Maliah Ashborne as my mate.” He gritted his teeth. “And I hope you rot in hell.”

I struggled to stay awake . I tried to hold on but …. I felt pulled down into the darkness and I felt so powerless to stop it.

**

My eyes fluttered open and….. I found myself… laying on a bed…. In a beautiful room. I tried to get up but my head was aching so bad. What had just happened?

Just then, a maid walked in but the moment she saw me awake, she ran out with a loud shout.

“Luna Hildred! Our lady is awake!”